I'm new here too. Fishless cycling is (in my opinion) the best way to start a new tank. I've had good results with the test strips. My 30 gal has neon tetras, blue tetras, 1 electric blue ram, and of course my sky blue plakat male betta. Seems I have a blue theme going here.

Although the test strips are fine for every day quick checks...they are not ideal for fishless cycling and it will actually cost you more to use the stripes than the liquid reagent type due to the number of test you may need to do in order to maintain the ammonia level to establish the nitrogen cycle using the fishless method.....

You need to test ammonia and nitrite daily to 2-3 times a day and nitrate at least weekly....you also need a base line on both the tank and source water...ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and if any issues come up you will need to do more testing....